The Maxx

The Maxx aren't just interested in soul music; they live it. Rod Whittaker (bass/keyboards/vocals), Leroy "Roc" Lovelace (sax/vocals), and Steven Rollins (guitar) have been incorporating the high intensity choreography and musical accuracy of the soul and funk icons who raised them since their Atlanta beginnings in 1980. Rainy Middleton, a fierce vocalist, has joined The Maxx, as have Dwight Smith (drums), Andre Bernard (trombone/keyboards/vocals), and Menes Ray (trumpet/vocals). The band perfected their live stage appearance by performing personalized set lists for conferences, corporate events, and festivals for over 125 days a year. All of this resulted in their most recent six-track EP, which brings the studio to the stage. The Maxx used a member of their extended family, The Soul of John Black, to produce their EP. The majority of the EP's writing and production was done by the former Fishbone member and Miles Davis percussionist. On the bluesy "Love Is Gonna Get Ya" and the joyful, funk track "Rock With You," The Soul of John Black also contributes vocals. “We have a personal relationship with him for years, he used to be a part of the band. It only made sense to have him on board as a principal writer and producer,” Whittaker said. The Maxx have never wavered from their aspirations as high schoolers refining their craft in garages and band rooms, as evidenced by their EP and nearly four decades as a band. “Ironically, we’re doing what we've always done, but because the trends change, now what we’re doing is new,” Whittaker has explained. “Bringing back that classic soul funk, which is perfect for us. We didn’t have to study it, we could basically do what’s in our hearts.”